‘Freakish’ and ‘bizarre’ camping accident claims life of 10-year-old

CHICAGO — A tragedy at a family camp-out in Wisconsin claimed the life of a 10-year-old suburban girl, according to WGN.

The girl’s father was there and describes the accident “freakish” and “bizarre.”

“I have that sound of that tree indelibly etched in my mind,” said Kevin Spahr, a grieving father remarkably composed just a day after losing the youngest of his five children.

Allison Spahr was only 10 years old. He can’t get the sound of the trees above them out of his head — trees that killed his young daughter.

He says she was joyful, funny and she loved the outdoors. She especially loved to camp. Fallen branches and debris are all that is left of their campsite in Devil’s Lake State Park after Oak trees the size of ships fell on top of them in the dark of night. Kevin and his 13-year-old son Kyle were trapped beneath them, but somehow escaped great injury. Allison did not.

“The coroner thought that this large branch had just landed right across her chest and she probably didn’t even wake up,” Spahr said.

On Monday, Spahr’s scrapes on his legs are a small reminder of the weekend that changed his family forever. No bitterness, no confusion — just sadness over the loss and circumstances he knows he couldn’t change or ever predict.

“You don’t know what the next day holds,” Spahr said. “Don’t take any day for granted.”

The permanently immature cannot be expected to grasp the inappropriateness of their unfunny triteness. You are right, however, Lewis. Joshua is a shining example of the failings of humanity. My condolences to the Spahr family for their tragic loss.